Flashing ball

ABSTRACT

A flashing ball comprising a motion-activated flasher circuit within a hollow translucent or transparent inner ball bearing printed indicia on its outer surface and covered by a translucent or transparent spherical outer ball. The outer surface of the inner ball is roughened in one embodiment to enhance ink retention. The flasher circuit includes means for supplying pulses to a plurality of spaced light sources in alternating pulse bursts, and the ball is adapted to produce a flashing ring of light at its periphery in response to light generated by the light sources.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/173,759, filed Dec. 30, 1999, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to amusement and specialty advertisingdevices and, more particularly, to flashing balls.

[0003] Numerous illuminated balls of one type or another have beendesigned over the years, as exemplified by the balls disclosed in thefollowing patents: Patent No. Inventor Issue Date 2,020,484 Turner Nov.12, 1935 3,351,347 Smith et al. Nov. 7, 1967 3,580,575 Speeth May 25,1971 3,610,916 Meehan Oct. 5, 1971 3,804,411 Hendry Apr. 16, 19744,479,649 Newcomb et al. Oct. 30, 1984 5,066,011 Dykstra et al. Nov. 19,1991 5,228,686 Maleyko Jul. 20, 1993 5,236,383 Connelly Aug. 17, 19935,388,825 Myers et al. Feb. 14, 1995 5,490,047 O'Rourke et al. Feb. 6,1996 5,725,445 Kennedy et al. Mar. 10, 1998 5,779,575 Hsieh Jul. 14,1998 5,924,942 Gentile Jul. 20, 1999 6,042,487 Schrimmer et al. Mar. 28,2000

[0004] For promotional purposes among others, it is desirable to haveprinted indicia of one kind or another on a ball, such as a logo,company name, advertising slogan, inspirational message or otherinformation. Illumination, especially with flashing action, attractsattention to the ball and thus to the advertising or other informationon the ball. However, ball materials that are desirable for meetingdesign specifications such as desired bounce characteristics,durability, weight and feel are often incompatible with printing inks.Some synthetic rubber compositions, in particular, do not exhibit goodink retention. With some combinations of ink composition and ballmaterial, it is impossible to obtain even short-term ink retention. Withothers, the ink is apparently indelible but wears off quickly. Thus, aneed exists for more innovative ways to obtain good ink retentionwithout compromising the performance characteristics of the ball.

[0005] In addition, while simple flashing naturally attracts attentionto a degree, there remains a need for innovative ways to attract andhold attention. Alternate flashing of lights, such as shown in theabove-referenced Kennedy et al. patent, is helpful in this regard.However, more attention-getting visual effects are still desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides, as one aspect thereof, a flashingball comprising a hollow inner ball, at least partially translucent,containing a flasher circuit including an inertial switch, a pulsegenerator having an input connected to the inertial switch, and aplurality of spaced light sources connected to the pulse generator. Anouter ball, at least partially translucent, covers the inner ball. Thepulse generator includes means for supplying pulses to said lightsources in alternating pulse bursts.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a flashingball comprises a hollow inner ball as described above and an outer ball,at least partially translucent, covering the inner ball, one of theinner and outer balls having a roughened surface adapted to enhance inkretention and bearing printed indicia on the roughened surface.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a flashing ballcomprising a hollow inner ball containing a motion-activated flashercircuit and bearing printed indicia on the outer surface of the innerball, and a transparent spherical outer ball molded over the inner ball.

[0009] The present invention also provides a method of enhancing thevisual impact of an illuminated ball. The method comprises providing aplurality of spaced light sources in a hollow inner ball that is atleast partially translucent, covering the inner ball with an outer ballthat is at least partially translucent, and supplying pulses to thelight sources in alternating pulse bursts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a top view of the circuit side of an assembled printedcircuit board shown inside a cross-section of outer and inner ballsaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is an end view of the assembled printed circuit board ofFIG. 1 shown inside a cross-section of the outer and inner balls.

[0012]FIG. 3A is a detailed drawing of the inside of the battery-sidehemisphere of the inner ball of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectionof that hemisphere.

[0013]FIG. 4A is a detailed drawing of the inside of the circuit-sidehemisphere of the inner ball of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectionof that hemisphere.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway drawing of the ball of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0015]FIG. 6 illustrates a flashing keychain according to one embodimentof the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a pin foruse in the flashing keychain of FIG. 6.

[0017]FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a suitable flasher circuit for aflashing ball according to the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 9 illustrates representative waveforms for the flashercircuit of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principlesof the invention, reference will now be made to the embodimentillustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations andfurther modifications in the illustrated device, and such furtherapplications of the principles of the invention as illustrated thereinbeing contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art towhich the invention relates.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a flashing ball 10according to the present invention has an outer rubber ball 12 directcompression molded or otherwise formed over a hollow inner ball 14 whichcontains an impact-responsive flasher circuit having two alternatelyflashing LEDs 22 and 24 spaced apart from each other and oppositelyoriented with respect to a printed circuit (pc) board 28. The circuit inFIG. 1 shows the lens portion of the body of LED 22 and the base of LED24, the lens portion of which protrudes through the pc board, as shownin FIG. 2, through a hole provided for this purpose. The flashes arepreferably provided in alternating bursts of, for example, three to fiveflashes from each LED, with an individual flash frequency of 18 Hz and a50% duty cycle. Each flash cycle consists of one burst from each LED,and the circuit is preferably designed to operate at a rate of threeflash cycles per second for a total of 32 cycles each time it istriggered. An example of a suitable flasher circuit is shown in FIG. 8,and representative waveforms of the voltage across each LED areillustrated in FIG. 9, wherein the individual flash period T equals 55msec, corresponding to 18 Hz. The leads 18 and 20 of the LEDs areelectrically connected in a conventional manner via traces on pc board28 to an IC 16, which is similarly mounted on the pc board in aconventional manner.

[0021] The spaced arrangement of the LEDs combines with theabove-described flash sequence to produce a startling visual effect. Theeffect is believed to be more attention-getting than that of a singleflashing LED or even a pair of alternately flashing LEDs which providealternating single flashes rather than alternating flash bursts as inthe present invention. Center-to-center spacing of approximately 10-15mm has been found suitable for producing the desired effect.

[0022] A suitable IC is a type Al615-A one-shot IC, commerciallyavailable from Allegro Electronics Ltd., Kwaichung, N.T. Hong Kong. Asuitable LED is a Sunscreen type L53SRCU red LED. The LED anodes may beconnected together as shown and connected to the positive terminal ofthe battery through a current-limiting resistor R1. Switch 26 isconnected between the negative battery terminal and the one-shot (OSH)input of the IC and is preferably an inertial switch of the coil springtype, mounted on the pc board with its longitudinal axis perpendicularto the board as shown in the drawings and as described in more detailbelow. The circuit is preferably powered by two series-connected1.5-volt button cells 30, e.g., AG10 cells, which are electricallyconnected to the IC by a board-mounted button cell holder and a terminalon the board surface. Greater battery capacity may be provided for someapplications; for example, other embodiments include three button cells30 and two or more blue or white LEDs. The sidewalls of the button cellsare preferably electrically insulated from the laterally adjacentsurfaces of the button cell holders by high-temperature insulating tape,e.g., mylar, which may be applied at discrete points or entirely aroundthe button cell circumference.

[0023] The button cells are held in position by support posts 32 and 34in cooperation with the button cell holder and the pc board, which issupported by posts 36, 38 and 40. The support posts are integrallyformed on respective hemispheres 42 and 44 as shown in further detail inFIGS. 3 and 4, respectively, which along with FIGS. 1 and 2 are scaledrawings. The two hemispheres are designed to snap together, and forthis purpose the battery-side hemisphere 42 is provided with an annularprojection 46, and the circuit-side hemisphere 44 is provided with acorresponding annular groove 48 shaped and sized to mate with projection46. Alternatively, hemisphere 44 may be provided with an annularprojection and hemisphere 42 a corresponding annular groove.

[0024] Switch 26 may be an inertial switch of the type shown in U.S.Pat. No. 5,725,445 to Kennedy et al., which patent is incorporatedherein by reference. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 1 and 2, theswitch includes a coil spring and a rod extending through the coilspring along the longitudinal axis thereof. The coil spring may beformed from 0.2 mm wire. A diameter of approximately 4 mm and an axiallength of approximately 4.5 mm are presently preferred dimensions forthe coil proper, which is spaced from the board surface as shown. Aspacing of 2-2.5 mm from the board is suitable, and may be maintainedwith a lead having two 90° bends, one portion of the lead extendingparallel to the axis of the coil as shown, a second portion extendingalong the board surface perpendicular to the first portion and away fromthe coil axis, and a third portion extending from the outer end of thesecond portion parallel to the coil axis and through the board. Thespacing from the board may be somewhat longer, e.g., approximately 3 mmor longer in some applications, and the axial length of the coil mayalso be somewhat longer, e.g., 5-6 mm or longer. Shorter coils with lessspacing from the board are also contemplated as useful in someapplications. The number of wire turns per unit of axial length may begreater at the free end of the coil than at the fixed end as shown inFIG. 2. The switch sensitivity is preferably set such that, with thecoil axis in a horizontal plane, the assembled ball must be droppedvertically a minimum of approximately one inch onto a rigid surface tomomentarily close the switch and thereby trigger the flasher circuit.

[0025] The outer ball is composed of a thermosetting resin such ascis-butadiene rubber and dicumyl peroxide, with an outer diameter ofapproximately 50 mm, and the hollow inner ball is molded acrylic orpolycarbonate with an outer diameter of approximately 30 mm as shown inthe scale drawings. Other ball sizes are also contemplated, including,for example, a 60 mm ball with a 40 mm inner ball. One example of asuitable outer ball material is cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber. Thehardness of the outer ball is in the range of 30-70 durometer in oneembodiment, and in the range of 35-55 durometer in another embodiment.The outer ball is initially formed as two uncured hemispheres of desiredwall thickness, each having a center recess sized to receive the innerball. The inner ball is enclosed within the two hemispheres and sealedtherein by oven curing at approximately 400° F. for approximately 30minutes with the two hemispheres held together.

[0026] The inner and outer balls may both be transparent, or bothtranslucent, or one may be transparent and the other translucent. Bothballs are transparent in one embodiment in which the outer surface ofthe outer ball is treated to facilitate application of printing ink. Thetreatment may include an ultrasonic wash for approximately 15 minutes,for example. The outer surface is preferably roughened by means of beadblasting. A desired logo, company name, advertising slogan or otherinformation is then printed on the roughened surface, e.g., by padprinting and heat curing of the ink for approximately 1 hour at 120° F.It has been found suitable for such purposes to bead blast a circulararea on the surface having a diameter approximately three-fourths thatof the outer ball. Alternatively, a roughened outer surface may beprovided by the mold itself. A suitable ink for such purposes includestype “WNT” ink and BH hardener available from Trans Tech America, Inc.,Carol Stream, Ill., mixed with two adhesive components in the followingpercentages by weight: INGREDIENT CONCENTRATION Type “WNT” ink 78% BHHardener 8% Devcon rubber adhesive 7% Pliobond contact adhesive 7%

[0027] Alternatively, a desired logo, etc., may be printed on the outersurface of the hollow inner ball. The outer ball is transparent whilethe inner ball hemispheres are preferably molded of translucentpolycarbonate rather than transparent polycarbonate or other suitablematerial to provide desired contrast for the printing on its surface. Alight color is preferred for the inner ball to provide contrast forblack or other dark color ink, and a white matte finish is particularlydesirable. The desired surface finish is provided in the molding processitself or by subsequently roughening the outer surface of the ball,e.g., by bead blasting, tumbling or sanding with, e.g., 400-800 gradesandpaper. In one particular example, the outer surface of the innerball is roughened with #240 quartz in a tumbler for approximately 25minutes. This surface treatment has been found to enhance ink retention,increase the adhesion of molded synthetic rubber to the inner ball, andavoid discoloration believed to be caused by air trapped during themolding process. The ink is applied and heat cured as described above.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway view of the complete ball from theperspective of FIG. 1. Outer ball 12 is depicted as transparent, andinner ball 14 appears larger than actual size due to refraction, asindicated by circumferential line 52 representing the apparent peripheryof the inner ball, the actual size of which is as shown in the cutawayportion of the drawing. The properties of the inner and outer ballscombine to create a zone of internal reflection and/or refractionbetween the peripheries of the two balls and thereby produce a haloeffect, or a ring of light, around the inner ball during each flash ofthe back-side LED (LED 24 in this view), as indicated by curved arrows50 in the drawing. The ring of light appears to fill the space betweenthe apparent periphery 52 of the inner ball and the periphery of theouter ball. The effect is more pronounced when the flashing ball isviewed from the perspective of FIG. 1 or from the opposite perspective,i.e., from an angle substantially perpendicular to the plane of thecircuit board, and held with the finger or palm of one's hand, or otherobject, against the back side of the ball, especially in low light or inthe dark. The halo effect is in addition to the light visible directlythrough the inner ball from the near-side LED 22 and significantlyenhances the visual impact of the flashing ball and thereby attractsgreater attention. In the case of a translucent inner ball, lightemitted from near-side LED 22 is visible as a flashing spot in the innerball. The visual impact is especially enhanced as the halo flashes inbursts which alternate with the flash bursts from the near-side LED.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 6, which relates to another aspect of thepresent invention, a flashing keychain 60 comprises a keychain 62combined with a smaller size flashing ball 64 of the type describedabove. The inner ball and included circuit, and the outer ball, are thesame as those of FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the outer ball is smaller,e.g., approximately 40 mm in one embodiment, and a connecting pin 66 isprovided in the ball as shown in FIG. 6. Keychain 62 is connected on oneend to an eyelet 68 on pin 66 and includes a keyring 70 on its otherend. The pin includes a flange 72 on its inner end for retention withinthe ball. The flange may extend radially from the pin axis in multipledirections as shown in FIG. 6, e.g., 360°, or may extend radially inonly one direction as shown in FIG. 7 at 74. A hole is provided in theinner ball at the seam between the two hemispheres to receive the mainbody of the pin, which may be placed between the two hemispheres duringthe assembly process so as to be captured within the hole when the twohemispheres are snapped together. The outer ball is then molded over theassembled inner ball in a conventional manner. A desired logo, companyname, advertising slogan or other information may be printed on thesurface of either the inner ball or the outer ball as described above.The flasher circuit is preferably triggered by forces greater than apredetermined magnitude, such as the magnitude of force generated uponimpact of the ball with a solid object, e.g., a table top, at the end ofa 1″ vertical drop as described above. The flasher circuit is preferablynot triggered by the low level of forces encountered by a personwalking, for example.

[0030] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detailin the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be consideredas illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understoodthat only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and thatall changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theinvention.

We claim:
 1. A flashing ball, comprising: a hollow inner ball, at leastpartially translucent, containing a flasher circuit including aninertial switch, a pulse generator having an input connected to saidinertial switch, and a plurality of spaced light sources connected tosaid pulse generator; and an outer ball, at least partially translucent,covering said inner ball, wherein said pulse generator includes meansfor supplying pulses to said light sources in alternating pulse bursts.2. The flashing ball of claim 1 , wherein said outer ball istransparent, and wherein said flashing ball is adapted to produce aflashing ring of light at its periphery in response to light generatedby said light sources in response to said alternating pulse bursts. 3.The flashing ball of claim 2 , wherein said flasher circuit includes anopaque circuit board and a pair of LEDs spaced apart from each in theplane of the board by approximately 10-15 mm.
 4. A flashing ball,comprising: a hollow inner ball, at least partially translucent,containing a flasher circuit including an inertial switch, a pulsegenerator having an input connected to said inertial switch, and aplurality of spaced light sources connected to said pulse generator; andan outer ball, at least partially translucent, covering said inner ball,one of said inner and outer balls having a roughened surface adapted toenhance ink retention and bearing printed indicia on said roughenedsurface.
 5. The flashing ball of claim 4 , wherein said inner ball ismade of rigid plastic and said outer ball is thermosetting resin moldedover said inner ball, and wherein said roughened outer surface is onsaid inner ball.
 6. The flashing ball of claim 4 , wherein said innerball is made of rigid plastic and said outer ball is thermosetting resinmolded over said inner ball, and wherein said roughened outer surface ison said outer ball.
 7. The flashing ball of claim 6 , wherein said outersurface includes a roughened portion and a smooth portion.
 8. A flashingball, comprising: a hollow inner ball containing a motion-activatedflasher circuit and bearing printed indicia on the outer surface of saidinner ball; and a transparent spherical outer ball molded over saidinner ball.
 9. The flashing ball of claim 8 , wherein said inner ball ismade of rigid plastic and said outer ball is made of thermosettingresin.
 10. The flashing ball of claim 9 , wherein said outer ball ismade of cis-butadiene rubber.
 11. A method of enhancing the visualimpact of an illuminated ball, comprising: providing a plurality ofspaced light sources in a hollow inner ball that is at least partiallytranslucent; covering said inner ball with an outer ball that is atleast partially translucent; and supplying pulses to said light sourcesin alternating pulse bursts.
 12. The method of claim 11 , furthercomprising: providing at least a partial barrier for blocking lighttransmission through the center of said inner ball from at least one ofsaid light sources; and maintaining a path for light transmission fromsaid at least one light source around said light barrier through saidouter ball, whereby a flashing ring of light appears at the periphery ofsaid illuminated ball in response to light generated by said at leastone light source in response to pulse bursts supplied thereto.